My Story
I am Tanya — a Toronto-based foresight researcher and graphic designer who transforms complex challenges into powerful, people-centered narratives. With a rare ability to distill technical complexity into compelling stories, I help brands uncover their authentic “reason for being” and connect with audiences in meaningful, impactful ways.
For me, Toronto’s We Don’t Take Naps by Ben Johnston feels like a manifesto — a tribute to the hustle, resilience, and grit it took for me to make this city my own.
Mumbai’s Deewar, from the Bollywood Art Project, is my past in full colour — a city of chaos and cinema, where even crumbling walls find rebirth.
My journey began
A graduate of the National Institute of Design (NID), India, with a master’s degree in Graphic Design, I began my career leading creative teams at agencies before co-founding TAN-TA-DAN DESIGN—a studio driven by strategic clarity, cultural relevance, and design excellence.
With over a decade of experience, I’ve led strategy, branding, packaging, and experience design projects across FMCG, education, healthcare, technology, finance, and social innovation. My work blends research-driven insight with human-centered design to create solutions that are both visually compelling and strategically grounded.
I’ve partnered with leading brands and institutions, including the Commonwealth Youth Games, Procter & Gamble, Pernod Ricard India, Ava Cholayil Healthcare, Caterpillar, Assocham, SBI Life Insurance, Manipal University, Kaya Skin Clinic, K Raheja Realty, Lionbridge, and Randstad.
More recently
Having now wrapped my degree in Strategic Foresight and Innovation at OCAD University, Canada, I hold a Master’s that deepened my expertise in futures thinking, systems understanding, and strategic research. As a practicing foresight researcher, I analyze social structures, identify emerging trends, and explore plausible futures to help organizations anticipate and prepare for change. My multicultural journey across India and now Canada continues to shape my perspective, grounding my work in inclusivity, adaptability, and cross-cultural insight.
I collaborated with Scotiabank Canada on a foresight project focused on mitigating unintended consequences in technology and finance, and most recently with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Canada on initiatives designed to drive meaningful change—such as reducing food waste in the retail sector.
What fuels my Creativity
My superpower lies at the intersection of strategic foresight and creative storytelling—uncovering the deeper “why” that makes brands truly resonate. I bring quiet confidence, sharp analytical thinking, and a collaborative approach to every project, crafting purposeful strategies that drive measurable outcomes.
Beyond my professional work, I mentor aspiring designers through academic juries, nurture young creative talent, and also volunteer at a Toronto elementary school, where I support educational and student well-being initiatives.
Me in Numbers
-
Association of Professional Futurists (APF) Student Recognition Program – OCAD University (2024)
-
Design4 Project – OCAD University’s CEAD & Scotiabank (2022)
-
RSD11 – Systemic Design Association (2022)
-
Brand Identity & Packaging – CII Design Excellence Awards Nominee (2017)
4
-
Association of Professional Futurists (APF) (2024)
-
Design4 Project – OCAD University’s CEAD & Scotiabank (2022)
-
RSD11 – Systemic Design Association (2022)
-
CII Design Excellence Awards Nominee (2017)
Industry Nominations
-
Association of Professional Futurists (APF) Student Recognition Program – OCAD University (2024)
-
Design4 Project – OCAD University’s CEAD & Scotiabank (2022)
-
RSD11 – Systemic Design Association (2022)
-
Brand Identity & Packaging – CII Design Excellence Awards Nominee (2017)
40+
Industry Collaborations
1
15+
Years of Experience